Chapter XIII.—These
Four repair to John on account of his Interest; for this Reason,
Theophilus was enraged, and prepares himself to fight against
John.

Dioscorus, Ammonius, and the
other monks, having discovered the machinations of Theophilus, retired
to Jerusalem, and thence proceeded to Scythopolis; for they thought
that it would be an advantageous residence there for them on account of
the many palms, whose leaves are used by the monks for their customary
work.16021602 Pallad. Dialog. 7; Soc. vi. 7, 9.
Soz.’s has independent matter.
Dioscorus and Ammonius were accompanied hither by about eighty other
monks. In the meantime, Theophilus sent messengers to Constantinople,
to prefer complaints against them, and to oppose any petitions that
they might lay before the emperor. On being informed of this fact,
Ammonius and the monks embarked for Constantinople, and took Isidore
with them; and they requested that their cause might be tried in the
presence of the emperor and of the bishop; for they thought that, by
reason of his boldness, John, who was careful to do right, would be
able to help them in their rights. John, although he received them with
kindness, and treated them with honor, and did not forbid them to pray
in the church, refused to admit them to participation in the mysteries,
for it was not lawful to do this before the investigation. He wrote to
Theophilus, desiring him to receive them back into communion, as their
sentiments concerning the Divine nature were orthodox; requesting him,
if he regarded their orthodoxy as doubtful, to send some one to act as
their accuser. Theophilus returned no reply to this epistle. Some time
subsequently, Ammonius and his companions presented themselves before
the wife of the emperor, as she was riding out, and complained of the
machinations of Theophilus against them. She knew what had been plotted
against them; and she stood up in honor of them; and, leaning forward
from her royal chariot, she nodded, and said to them, “Pray for
the emperor, for me, for our children, and for the empire. For my part,
I shall shortly cause a council to be convened, to which Theophilus
shall be summoned.” A false report having prevailed in
Alexandria, that John had received Dioscorus and his companions into
communion, and had afforded them every aid and encouragement in his
power, Theophilus began to reflect upon what measures it would be
possible to adopt in order to eject John from his episcopate.